Dispensing cover with tear strip and living hinge

ABSTRACT

A dispensing cover for use with a fiberboard drum having a rolled-in lip which defines a cover-receiving opening includes a main body having a first portion and a second portion which is pivotal with respect to the first portion and which is joined thereto using a living hinge. An inner and outer skirt extends about the periphery of the main body, which skirts are spaced apart from each other to define therebetween a cavity for receiving the rolled-in lip of the fiberboard drum. Molded into the outer skirt at the living hinge is a tear strip. Unless removed, the tear strip prevents the second portion from pivoting with respect to the first portion. Barbs formed on the inner or outer skirts and extending into the cavity defined between them engage the rolled-in lip of the fiberboard drum to secure the dispensing cover to the fiberboard drum at least over the non-pivoting first portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to lids and covers for containers, andmore particularly relates to a dispensing cover for a fiberboard drum.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Current packaging applications frequently require containers forgranular products which may be dispensed from the containers. Onecurrent type of package includes a rectangular fiberboard drum which hasa top sealed off with an injection molded cover. The cover is attachedto the drum with tape.

In order to dispense product from the container, the consumer removesthe tape to detach the cover. Frequently, this results in the tapepeeling off part of the label of the container. This is bothaesthetically undesirable, and results in the removal of some of thelettering or other information on the box. Further, once the tape hasbeen removed, there is no way to securely reseal the container otherthan re-taping it. The current type of cover design is friction fit tothe outside of the container, and while it provides adequate protectionfrom the elements, it will come off when the box is knocked over (unlessit is re-taped), thus resulting in spillage of the contents.

Furthermore, the taping operation employed with current technology isvery labor intensive. Also, during shipment, the fiberboard drums arestacked on a skid. A corrugated sheet must be placed between the layersof stacked fiberboard drums. Elimination of the sheets would result in acost savings.

Containers currently sold are formed as a fiberboard drum having arolled-in lip, which adds strength to the container. A cover which hasbarbs that engage the rolled-in lip of the fiberboard drum is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,153. The barbs keep the cover securely attachedto the fiberboard drum which prevents the container contents fromspilling out if the container is inadvertently knocked over.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing coverfor a fiberboard drum which can be securely attached to the fiberboarddrum yet can be readily opened by means of a tear strip.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dispensingcover for a fiberboard drum which can be securely attached to thefiberboard drum without a separate taping operation.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide adispensing cover for a fiberboard drum which allows the fiberboard drumwith the cover attached to be stacked on top of another fiberboard drumand cover without use of a corrugated sheet.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide adispensing cover for a fiberboard drum which can be opened to dispenseproduct and then resealably closed.

The present invention is directed to a dispensing cover for use with afiberboard drum. The fiberboard drum has a continuous upstanding drumwall with a wall edge formed as a rolled-in lip, the rolled-in lipdefining the perimeter of a cover-receiving opening. The dispensingcover includes a main body sized to fit the perimeter of thecover-receiving opening. The main body is formed of at least twoco-planar sections that are joined together with preferably a livinghinge. More specifically, the cover main body includes a first portionand a second portion which is pivotally joined to the first portion.Each of the two body portions includes an inner skirt and an outerskirt. The inner and outer skirts are co-parallel, and extendperpendicularly outwardly from the underside of the first and secondbody portions. The skirts define with their respective body portion acavity for receiving therein the rolled-in lip of the fiberboard drum.

As mentioned previously, preferably a living hinge pivotally joinstogether the first and second portions of the main body of the cover.The inner skirt is separable or cut at the living hinge so as not toimpede the second portion from pivoting at the hinge with respect to thefirst portion.

The outer skirt may include a tear strip which overlaps the juncturebetween the first and second body portions at the hinge, on just onelateral side of the cover, or both lateral sides. The tear strip ispreferably molded into the outer skirt, and may include a handle portionthat may be grasped by a user to remove the molded-in tear strip fromthe outer skirt. This will allow the second portion of the main body topivot at the hinge with respect to the first portion in order to uncovera portion of the container opening so that the contents of the containermay be dispensed. The first portion of the cover main body remainssecured to the rolled-in lip of the fiberboard drum.

The dispensing cover may also include barbs which are situated on theinner or outer skirt and which extend outwardly therefrom into thecavity for receiving the rolled-in lip. Each barb has an angled surfacewhich rides up and over the rolled-in lip of the fiberboard drum whenthe dispensing cover is first attached to the fiberboard drum. Each barbhas a generally straight surface which traps the rolled-in lip of thefirst fiberboard drum in the cavity between the skirts when thedispensing cover is fully inserted onto the fiberboard drum.

The outer skirt of the dispensing cover situated on the pivotal secondportion may further include an exposed projection or handle disposed inproximity to one or more barbs, with the projection extending outwardlyfrom the outer skirt so as to be graspable by a user. By pulling theprojection or handle outwardly away from the barbs, the user can detachthe second portion of the cover main body from the rolled-in lip of thefiberboard drum to allow the second portion to pivot and partiallyuncover the container opening.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a dispensing cover formed inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a dispensing cover formed inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of a dispensing cover formed in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a bottom plan view of a dispensing cover formed in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 4A is an elevational view of a first side of a dispensing coverformed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4B is an elevational view of a second side of a dispensing coverformed in accordance with the present invention and which is disposedopposite to the first side shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is an elevational view of a third side of a dispensing coverformed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5B is an elevational view of fourth side of a dispensing coverformed in accordance with the present invention and which is disposedopposite to the third side shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5B of adispensing cover formed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 4A of adispensing cover formed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8A is an elevational view of the first side of a dispensing coverformed in accordance with the present invention and shown in FIG. 4A,and further showing the dispensing cover in a partially open position.

FIG. 8B is an elevational view of the second side of a dispensing coverformed in accordance with the present invention and shown in FIG. 4B,and further showing the dispensing cover in a partially open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-7 of the drawings, a dispensing coverformed in accordance with the present invention is shown in its closedposition, and is designated generally as 2. The cover is preferablyinjection molded using preferably thermoplastic resin, such aspolypropylene. Cover 2 is intended for use with a fiberboard drum 4 orother type of container. The fiberboard drum 4 has a continuousupstanding drum wall 12 and a top wall edge which is formed as arolled-in lip 14. The wall edge defines the perimeter of acover-receiving opening 15. The cover 2 is comprised of a main body 6which is formed preferably of at least two main body portions, i.e., afirst portion 8 and a second portion 10 which is co-planar with andpivotal with respect to the first portion 8.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2, a living hinge 16 extendingtransversely across the main body 6 pivotally joins the at least twoco-planar body portions 8, 10, although is envisioned to be within thescope of the present invention to form the first and second portions 8,10 as separate parts that are pivotally joined together. Spaced apartouter and inner skirts 18, 20 extend co-parallelly from the underside ofthe main body 6 on both the first portion 8 and the second portion 10,as shown in FIG. 3B. Between them the skirts 18, 20 define with the mainbody 6 a cavity 22 for receiving the rolled-in lip 14 of the fiberboarddrum 4. As will be explained in greater detail, the inner skirt 20 iscut to form a gap 24 which is disposed in alignment with the livinghinge 16 on each opposite lateral side 26, 28 of the cover 2. The outerskirt 18 also may be cut or perforated, or may include a thin, tearableflashing at joint 30 (FIG. 4B) which is also disposed in alignment withthe living hinge 16 on one lateral side 28 of the cover, and has amolded-in tear strip 32 (FIG. 4A) disposed in alignment with the livinghinge 16 on the opposite lateral side 26 of the cover. Alternatively,the outer skirt 18 may include two molded-in tear strips, one on eachopposite lateral side 26, 28 of the cover 2 and disposed in alignmentwith and bridging the living hinge 16. The tear strip 32 preferablyincludes a handle portion, such as a finger hole 34, for grasping by auser so that the tear strip 32 may be easily removed.

As shown in FIG. 4B, and as mentioned previously, preferably on one ofthe lateral sides 26, 28 of the cover 2 is a thin flashing joint 30which joins two adjacent sections of the outer skirt 18 together at theliving hinge 16. As will be explained in greater detail, the joint 30rips when the dispensing cover 2 is first opened. Those skilled in theart recognize that a second tear strip, like tear strip 32, may beformed on the opposite side 28 of the dispensing cover 2 shown in FIG.4A in place of joint 30. Furthermore, those skilled in the art recognizethat joint 30 is optional and that a gap, such as gap 24, illustrated inFIG. 4C, could be formed in the outer skirt 18 in alignment with theliving hinge 16.

The outer skirt 18 may further include a projection or handle 36 whichprojects outwardly therefrom on a third side 38 of the cover 2 where thepivotal second body portion 10 resides, as shown in FIG. 5A. Thisprojection or handle 36 has preferably the lettering “LIFT HERE” moldedin or printed on an exposed surface thereof which is viewable as an aidto the user.

A plurality of barbs 40 are formed in either the inner skirt 20 or theouter skirt 18 and extend therefrom into the cavity 22 defined betweenthe skirts. More specifically, a plurality of the barbs 40 are situatedbetween the skirts 18, 20 on the first portion 8 of the main body, whichfirst portion 8 remains secured to the rolled-in lip 14 of thefiberboard drum 4. Fewer barbs 40 are used on the second portion 10 ofthe main body 6, and those barbs 40 are situated between the skirts 18,20 on the third side 38 of the cover and in proximity to the projectionor handle 36. By a user grasping the projection or handle 36 and pullingoutwardly and upwardly thereon, the barbs 40 of the second portion 10will disengage from the rolled-in lip 14 of the fiberboard drum 4 sothat the second portion 10 may be pivoted with respect to the firstportion 8, uncovering partially the opening 15 of the fiberboard drum inorder to dispense the contents held therein.

The barbs 40 have also an angled surface 42 which rides up and over therolled-in lip 14 of the fiberboard drum when the dispensing cover 2 isfirst attached to the fiberboard drum 4. The barbs have a generallystraight surface 44 extending horizontally outwardly from the skirt 18,20 to meet the angled surface 42, which traps the rolled-in lip 14 ofthe fiberboard drum 4 within the cavity 22 formed by the outer and innerskirts 18, 20 and the main body 6 of the cover 2 when the dispensingcover is fully inserted on the fiberboard drum 4. The generally straightsurfaces 44 and the underside portion of the rolled-in lip 14 interactto permanently attach the dispensing cover 2 to the fiberboard drum 4,except where the projection or handle 36 is disposed. It should be notedthat, preferably, no barbs 40 are situated on the opposite lateral sides26, 28 of the pivotal second portion 10 in order to allow the secondportion 10 to lift free of the fiberboard drum 4 to partially uncoverthe opening 15.

As shown in FIG. 3B, a plurality of knee braces 46 extending from theinner surface of the inner skirt 20 to the underside of the first andsecond portions 8, 10 are provided to strengthen the cover 2 and toprevent deflection of the inner skirt 20.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the dispensing cover 2 in a partially openposition. Upon removing the tear strip 32 from the outer skirt 18 andpulling on the projection or handle 36 outwardly and then upwardly, auser may now open the cover, as the second portion 10 is free to pivotat the living hinge 16 with respect to the first portion 8 which remainssecured to the fiberboard drum 4. The thin flashing 30 on the oppositelateral side 28 from where the tear strip 32 is located will rip underslight force, allowing the second portion 10 to pivot upwardly away fromthe rolled-in lip 14, and partially uncovering the opening 15 formed inthe fiberboard drum 4. By the user pulling the projection or handle 36outwardly and upwardly away from the wall 12 of the fiberboard drum 4,the barbs 40 on the second portion 10 of the main cover 6 situated inproximity to the projection or handle 36 will disengage from therolled-in lip 14, freeing the second portion 10 to pivot away from thefiberboard drum opening 15. The contents of the fiberboard drum 4 maynow be dispensed through the partially uncovered opening 15.

The dispensing cover 2 may further include stack alignment projections48 which preferably extend upwardly from the top surface of the mainbody 6 near the four corners of the dispensing cover 2. The stackalignment projections 48 allow several containers to be stacked one ontop of the other. The bottom of the fiberboard drum 4 also has arecessed rolled-in edge (not shown) about the periphery thereof, and thestack alignment projections 48 are positioned to extend upwardly and tobe received inwardly of the rolled-in bottom edge of another fiberboarddrum stacked thereon at the inner corners of the rolled-in bottom edge.

As a result, the dispensing cover 2 of the present invention provides,with the fiberboard drum 4, a container which can be stacked one on topof the other without use of a corrugated sheet between the stackedcontainers. The dispensing cover 2 remains affixed to the fiberboarddrum 4 until it is ready to be opened. The pivotal second portion 10 ofthe main body 6 of the cover 2 cannot pivot until the tear strip 32 isremoved.

It should be understood that the dispensing cover is useable with manydifferent types of containers, including those with a rolled-in lip or arolled-out lip (generally referred to as a rolled-over lip), as thebarbs of the dispensing cover will engage both types of lips to securethe cover to the container.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may beeffected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from thescope or spirit of the invention.

1. A dispensing cover for use with a fiberboard drum, the fiberboarddrum having a rolled-over lip, the rolled-over lip defining a perimeterof a cover-receiving opening, the dispensing cover comprising: a mainbody sized to fit over the perimeter of the cover-receiving opening, themain body having a first portion and a second portion co-planar with andpivotally joined to the first portion, the second portion pivoting withrespect to the first portion along a pivot line which runs transverselyacross the main body; an inner skirt and an outer skirt, the inner skirtand the outer skirt extending substantially perpendicularly from themain body on the first portion and the second portion and being spacedapart and substantially parallel to each other to define therebetween acavity for receiving the rolled-over lip of the fiberboard drum; and atear strip, the tear strip being formed in the outer skirt andpositioned in alignment with the pivot line, the tear strip preventingthe second portion from pivoting with respect to the first portion,whereupon on removal of the tear strip, the second portion may pivotwith respect to the first portion to at least partially uncover thecover-receiving opening of the fiberboard drum in order to dispensecontents held by the fiberboard drum.
 2. A dispensing cover as definedby claim 1, which further comprises: a living hinge, the living hingepivotally joining the first portion to the second portion, the livinghinge being disposed along the pivot line and being in alignment withthe tear strip.
 3. A dispensing cover as defined by claim 1, whichfurther comprises: a plurality of barbs, the plurality of barbs beingsituated on at least one of the inner skirt and the outer skirt andprojecting into the cavity defined between the inner skirt and the outerskirt, each barb of the plurality of barbs having an angled surface anda generally straight surface, the angled surface engaging therolled-over lip of the fiberboard drum and riding up and over therolled-over lip when the dispensing cover is inserted onto thefiberboard drum, the straight surface engaging an underside portion ofthe rolled-over lip to secure the dispensing cover to the fiberboarddrum.
 4. A dispensing cover as defined by claim 3, which furthercomprises: a projection extending outwardly from the outer skirt on aside of the dispensing cover, the projection being graspable by a userto disengage at least one selected barb of the plurality of barbs fromthe rolled-over lip of the fiberboard drum, the projection beingsituated on the second portion of the main body and in proximity to theat least one selected barb of the plurality of barbs.
 5. A dispensingcover as defined by claim 1, which further comprises: a plurality ofalignment projections, the alignment projections extending upwardly froma surface of the main body and being receivable within a recess definedon the bottom of a fiberboard drum when the fiberboard drum is restingon the dispensing cover.
 6. A dispensing cover for use with a fiberboarddrum, the fiberboard drum having a rolled-over lip, the rolled-over lipdefining a perimeter of a cover-receiving opening, the dispensing covercomprising: a main body sized to fit over the perimeter of thecover-receiving opening, the main body having a first portion and asecond portion co-planar with and pivotally joined to the first portion,the second portion pivoting with respect to the first portion along apivot line which runs transversely across the main body; an inner skirtand an outer skirt, the inner skirt and the outer skirt extendingsubstantially perpendicularly from the main body on the first portionand the second portion and being spaced apart and substantially parallelto each other to define therebetween a cavity for receiving therolled-over lip of the fiberboard drum; a tear strip, the tear stripbeing formed in the outer skirt and positioned in alignment with thepivot line, the tear strip preventing the second portion from pivotingwith respect to the first portion, whereupon on removal of the tearstrip, the second portion may pivot with respect to the first portion toat least partially uncover the cover-receiving opening of the fiberboarddrum in order to dispense contents held by the fiberboard drum; a hinge,the hinge pivotally joining the first portion to the second portion, thehinge being disposed along the pivot line and being in alignment withthe tear strip; a plurality of barbs, the plurality of barbs beingsituated on at least one of the inner skirt and the outer skirt andprojecting into the cavity defined between the inner skirt and the outerskirt, each barb of the plurality of barbs having an angled surface anda generally straight surface, the angled surface engaging therolled-over lip of the fiberboard drum and riding up and over therolled-over lip when the dispensing cover is inserted onto thefiberboard drum, the straight surface engaging an underside portion ofthe rolled-over lip to secure the dispensing cover to the fiberboarddrum; and a projection extending outwardly from the outer skirt on aside of the dispensing cover, the projection being graspable by a userto disengage at least one selected barb of the plurality of barbs fromthe rolled-over lip of the fiberboard drum, the projection beingsituated on the second portion of the main body and in proximity to theat least one selected barb of the plurality of barbs.